SYRACUSE, N.Y. — A new season has arrived at Syracuse, and head coach Fran Brown believes the Orange are entering training camp with something that was missing a year ago — strong leadership from within the locker room.
As Syracuse officially opened preseason camp, Brown said the culture surrounding this year’s team is noticeably different. After experiencing both the highs of his first season and the challenges that followed, he believes the foundation is now in place for the Orange to take a significant step forward in 2026.
“This team is about each other,” Brown said. “We’re around each other all the time. We care about the little details because we understand those details are what it takes to win football games.”
Brown guided Syracuse to one of its most successful seasons in recent memory during his first year at the helm, but the momentum stalled last season as injuries and inconsistency contributed to a three-win campaign.
Reflecting on that experience, Brown admitted leadership wasn’t where it needed to be.
Throughout offseason workouts, he challenged players to become more accountable to one another, saying last year’s team often allowed small issues to become distractions instead of focusing on the bigger goal.
To strengthen the team’s culture, the coaching staff selected 19 player leaders from across the roster. Those players earned their leadership roles through their work ethic, commitment, and daily approach both on and off the field.
Brown believes that leadership group has already transformed the atmosphere inside the program.
One of the players leading that charge is quarterback Steve Angeli, who returns after spending much of last season recovering from an Achilles injury.
Brown believes the adversity Angeli faced has made him a stronger leader and ultimately benefited both the quarterback and the program.
According to Brown, Angeli’s maturity and selflessness have set an example for the rest of the team. He even credited Angeli with helping recruit quarterback Malachi Nelson to Syracuse despite knowing the two would compete for the starting job.
For Brown, that willingness to put the program ahead of individual interests reflects exactly the type of culture he wants to build.
Outside expectations, however, remain modest.
The Orange were selected 14th in the 17-team ACC preseason poll, but Brown made it clear that outside projections carry little weight within the program.
“I don’t really care about the polls,” Brown said. “People said I wasn’t supposed to be the head coach at Syracuse. My mom had me when she was 13 years old. I’ve been beating the odds my whole life, so I believe we can do it again.”
Brown’s message throughout the opening day of camp centered less on rankings and more on preparation, accountability, and the belief that success begins with leadership.
As preseason practices continue, Syracuse will look to translate that renewed culture into results on the field. If Brown’s assessment is accurate, the Orange believe their greatest improvement in 2026 may not be measured by talent alone, but by a locker room united around a common purpose and committed to the details that Brown believes ultimately determine championships.
